Second Highest Tax Rate In The Nation

According to Lincoln Institute’s 50 State Property Tax Comparison, El Paso has the second highest homestead property tax rate among the fifty largest cities in the country. (Lookie here, page 65).

Our total tax bill is the 14th highest in the country. I bet we have the lowest median household income of the fifty largest cities in the country, but I’m rushed right now, and I can’t look it up. I’ll get back to you on that.

We have high property taxes because:
1. There are no industries or manufacturing entities other than the refinery.
2. Tax assessment does not equal tax collection.
3. Commercial Sports venues escape taxation.
4. The city and county appetites for more positions to “supervise” less activity or projects grows.
5. City and county policies on new construction of real estate.

I might add one other thing. City and county both removing taxable real property off the base. Destruction of City Hall and construction of the ball park, took ONE non-taxed property and exchanged it for NINE! The Waffle House (City Hall after watching 7Xtra last night), 7 other buildings to house city departments, and the ball park are all non-taxed properties.